Improvement in clasps for books



J. MtiL ER & E. HIL PER-Tp 'CLASPS FOR BOOKS. No. 191,992. Patented Jung-1 2 1877.

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PER HTTORNEYW 'MPETERS. PHOTO-museum. WASHINGTON. o i:v

UNI ED STATES PATENIIQEELQEC JULIUS MULLER AND EDWARD HILPERT, OF BERLIN, PRUSSIA.

,IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS'FCR BOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 19!,992, dated June 12, 1877 application filed March 10, 1877. 1

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JULIUS MI'iLLER and EDWARD HILPER'I, of the city of Berlin, Prussia, have jointly invented a certain new and Improved Olasp or Lock for Books, Albums, &c., of which the following is a specification The object of the present invention is to construct clasps for books, albums, and other similar articles, in such a manner that when the clasp is closed and the flaps of the bookcoversecnred. the clasp will be closed and rendered incapable of being opened without drawing one ofthe parts of the clasp in a longitudinal direct-ion.

The invention consists in constructing the clasp proper in two parts, one of which is hinged to the book-cover. in the ordinary manner, and fitted into the shell-shaped other part, which is provided with a hook-shaped end ongaging with the ordinary wire catch of the book-cover.

The shell-shaped or movable part of the clasp contains helical springs, which tend to draw the same in a downward direction for holding it firmly locked or in engagement with the wire catch of the book cover. By drawing said movable part upward against the tension of the springs, it can be released from the catch to permit the book to be opened.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, Figurel is a face view of an extensible book-clasp in an open position. Fig. 2 is a side view, representing the clasp applied to the covers of a book. Fig. 3 represents the clasp shown in Fig. l in a closed position.

The clasp consists of the two parts or plates A B, of which the former is hinged to one of the flaps ot' the book-cover, as is shown at d. The part B is made in the form of a shell or' case, and is adapted to contain the part A, upon which it is free to slide in a longitudinal direction. The shell-shaped part has an extension or plate, I), the upper end of which is bent to form a hook, c, which engages with the ordinary wire or pin catch 6 of the other flap of the book-cover.

The shell shaped or sliding part of the clasp is held in a locked position or in engagement with the wire catch by means of the helical springs D, which exert a constant downward pressure upon said sliding part to prevent the same from being disengaged without having first drawn it in an upward direction to release it from the catch on the book-cover.

The springs are located in seats formed at the sides of the clasp by notching the edges of the hinged part A, and they bear against top projections f of the part A, and inward projections or pins g on the part B. Thus it will be perceived that the springs serve to hold the clasp closed and obviate the casual disengagement of the same, and consequently the opening of the book.

For facilitating the movement of the sliding or extensible part of the clasp it isprovided with thumb or finger projections 11, and it also has a detachable face-plate to permit of its attachment to the part A.

The separation of the two parts of the clasp when in use is prevented by the internal projections f g.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a clasp for books and albums, the combination, with the hinged or stationary plate A, provided with projectionsf, and the shell or case'B, provided with the pins 9 and book 0, of the springs D, all constructed as shown and described, and operating substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS MULLER. EDWARD HILPEItT.

Witnesses:

GERARD VVENSESLAUS v. NAwRocKI, ELERMANN KREISMANN- 

